SPRING GARDEN – There’s a renewed focus in Spring Garden girls basketball these days.

After earning another trip to the Northeast Regionals last February, another Class 1A Final Four berth seemed inevitable once again for the Lady Panthers. But that all changed following a 39-33 loss to Gaston in the regional final, ending Spring Garden’s season at 30-3.

It’s been a long nine months since that loss, and it has fueled the Panthers’ fire during the off-season.

“They’re not pleased with that,” head coach Ricky Austin said. “It’s really changed this group, and it needed to. Maybe we were getting a little complacent and taking some things for granted, but now every small detail is magnified, and that’s what we’re working on.”

One of the challenges during the off-season for Austin and the Panthers has been finding a replacement for point guard Hannah Hutcheson. She averaged 11.5 points, 4.7 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game last season.

Although Austin has great players in the past, he said Hutcheson’s loss has been hard to fill, but sophomore Jordan Sides has stepped into the role.

Austin said freshman Heather Smart gives the Panthers depth at the position and will log a lot minutes on the floor. Austin noted Smart’s solid defense as being a key trait on the court.

While the point guard position is a work in progress, that isn’t the case with the rest of the Panther lineup.

Junior Tara Mullinax has proven very versatile in the past, and that versatility should come up big for the Panthers again this season.

Mullinax, who led Spring Garden with 18.5 points and 9.5 rebounds last season, has played multiple guard positions and the post throughout her career. She will likely see a combination at guard and the post this season.

Another go-to player will be senior Shelby Malone, who returns to the post. Joining Malone in the post will be sophomore Lynley Crabb.

It wouldn’t be an Austin-coached team without a scrappy player. Junior Kelsey Turner fit that bill last year and she returns to the lineup at forward. Sophomore Kaitlyn Rickman also returns at one of the guard positions.

Austin also expects newcomers to the varsity lineup Chandler Brock, Tori Pierce and Callie Thompson to step in and contribute to the Panthers.

Spring Garden competes in Class 1A, Area 12 with Asbury, Cedar Bluff, Collinsville, Gaston and Gaylesville.

“Our area still has to be one of the top two or three most competitive areas (in the state). I don’t know if there’s a clear-cut (top team) in this area,” Austin said. “One thing I do know is you better show up every night ready to play. This year, it’s going to be a tighter race. It’s going to be a tough battle.”

The following is a preview of the 2009-10 girls basketball season for The Herald’s coverage area.

Cedar Bluff Lady Tigers

A pair of senior guards highlight the Cedar Bluff roster this season in Jessica Brannon and Mechelle Adams.

Brannon was the top scoring threat the Lady Tigers had last season, averaging 15.1 points to go along with 3.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists. Adams will once again be looked upon to set the offense at point guard.

Senior forward Tanessa Fife is expected to contribute as a defensive rebounder.

Head coach Joe Carpenter also expects big things from freshman forward Audrey Hargitt and sophomore guard Candria Dupree.

The team’s top newcomer is junior guard Lindsey Lambert, a transfer from Spring Garden. Carpenter notes Lambert as a solid all-around player.

Rounding out the Cedar Bluff roster is sophomore guard Bre Stewart, sophomore forward Suzie Quarles and freshmen forwards Hannah Leach and Brooke Wood.

“Team speed will greatly affect our success,” Carpenter said. “However, our area (Class 1A, Area 12) is one of the strongest in Northeast Alabama with Spring Garden, Gaston, Asbury, Collinsville and Gaylesville.

“Spring Garden and Gaston will both be strong again. Gaylesville will be much improved with so many players returning. Asbury will be tough since they’re returning nearly their entire team, and Collinsville has great shooters to complete their strong inside game.”

Cherokee County Lady Warriors

The Lady Warriors suffered a big blow when junior point guard Kaitlyn Griffith tore ligaments in her left knee during volleyball season. The injury required surgery.

Griffith led the team in several categories last season. She averaged 16.3 points, 6.5 rebounds, 6.3 steals and 2.3 assists per game.

Junior forward Deidra Davis returns after posting solid numbers from a season ago. Davis averaged 12.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 1.9 assists. Sophomore Candace Blanchard gives depth at forward after averaging 5.8 rebounds, 4 points and 1.5 steals last season.

The Warriors also have five seniors to help carry the load in Lynden Curry, Mary Beth Brannon, Samantha Parker, Laura Rochester and Amy Atkins. Juniors are Kaitlyn Stokes and Karissa McEwen.

Cherokee County competes in Class 4A, Area 12 with Alexandria, Hokes Bluff and Jacksonville.

Gaylesville Lady Trojans

Gaylesville isn’t short on seniors this season. The Lady Trojans feature four in their lineup, led by Krysta Nichols.

The point guard led Gaylesville last season with 15.3 points, 5.4 steals, 4.6 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game. Fellow senior Amber Moseley tallied 9.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 2.7 assists per outing.

Senior Olivia Matthews also returns to the lineup after averaging 6.9 rebounds, 5.8 points, 1.9 steals and 1.1 assists. Kayla Nichols rounds out the Trojan seniors.

Juniors Hannah Beason and Kelsey Johnson bolster their Gaylesville lineup. Beason returns after averaging 6.8 rebounds, 5.7 points and 1.2 blocks.

Kaitlyn Hammett leads a group of sophomores. Hammett averaged 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.8 steals and 2.2 assists for the Trojans last season.

Other sophomores are Amberly LaFavor, Katie Lemons, Leslie Jones and Samantha Bright.

Gaylesville competes in Class 1A, Area 12 with Asbury, Cedar Bluff, Collinsville, Gaston and Spring Garden.

Sand Rock Lady Wildcats

Sand Rock has some holes to fill with the losses of leading scorer Lauren Bell (13.9 points) and leading rebounder Tiffany Prince (7.1 rebounds). However, the bright side for head coach Lisa Bates is the work ethic this year’s team has shown in practice.

“These girls have worked hard in the off-season to develop more scoring and to play better defense,” Bates said. “They will give me all they’ve got, and I can’t ask for more than that.”

Three seniors grace the roster in guard Gena Farmer, post player Carrie Robertson and newcomer Nicole Soignet, who is expected to contribute at one of the other guard positions.

Speaking of guards, the Lady Wildcats have depth at those positions in senior Brittany Robinson, juniors Paige Ashley, Lana Bell and Amber Henderson, and sophomore Feleisha Soignet.

The Wildcats also have a lot of depth at the post positions with juniors Karlie Anderson, Stephanie Cook, Crimson Dooley, Emily Ozment, Hillary Parker and Logan Smith.

“We lost our stat leaders in all areas from last year, but should have plenty to step it up and fill those shoes,” Bates said. “This group is spunky and plays with a lot of heart. I expect them to play together well and with great team intensity.”

Sand Rock competes in Class 2A, Area 12 with Geraldine, Westbrook Christian and West End.

Collinsville Lady Panthers

Life after Alisha and Breanna Bowen begins for Collinsville, which has a young team this season under head coach Jon Tidmore.

“We’re very young, but we had a great summer and some good fall conditioning,” Tidmore said. “If the attitude continues to be good throughout, we could be a solid team going into the area tournament.”

Sophomore center Kristen Ford has shown the ability to score down low. Junior Clair Cox gives the Lady Panthers depth down low.

Surrounding Ford and Cox at the forward positions are senior Charity Solomon, juniors Marrissa Solomon, Erica Osborn and Amber Davis, sophomore Summer Roberts and freshman Kiana Ford.

Senior Kiera Moore leads the Panther guards. Sophomores Victoria Patton and Lillian Majuno, along with freshmen Brittney Tidmore and Christy Cox give Collinsville depth at the guard positions.

Collinsville competes in Class 1A, Area 12 with Asbury, Cedar Bluff, Gaston, Gaylesville and Spring Garden.

Piedmont Lady Bulldogs

Piedmont’s top scorer from last season’s 19-12 team returns in senior guard Raven Prater. Prater averaged 14.4 points to go along with 4.3 rebounds and an assist per game. Senior forward Jeleca Johnson also returns after leading the Lady Bulldogs in steals.

Both Prater and Johnson have been with Piedmont for five years.

“They are our leaders and we expect them to have a great year,” Piedmont coach Matt Deerman said.

Bolstering the Bulldog lineup are a corps of juniors in point guard Hilarie Hincy, center Aniesha Alexander, forward Breanna Dixon and forward/guard Shequia Ridley.

“We have a good group of juniors that have a good bit of varsity experience, so hopefully our upper classmen can lead us to a successful season.”

Also expected to contribute are sophomore forwards Kayla Allen and Meagan Hoxie, sophomore guards Marquia Diamond and Chantavia Threatt, and freshman point guard Caitlyn Coogler.

Piedmont competes in Class 3A, Area 10 with Glencoe, Pleasant Valley, Weaver and White Plains.